Plugging Away: James Wagner checks in with former Nationals prospect Carlos Alvarez, formerly known as Esmailyn “Smiley” Gonzalez – the player whose false identity and fake age led to the firing of Ralph Jim Bowden in 2009.

Strange HOF Ballot: Jerry Green of the Detroit News votes for Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire for the Hall of Fame – but not Barry Bonds. Even stranger, he doesn’t explain why in column explaining his ballot.